most other airlines in the region have heavy government subsidies on their fuel bills.
Oh really, and what proof do you have of that? Fuel is tended on the open exchange, mainly in Singapore. As was mentioned, if it was free or subsidised then why tanker
into the middle east?? EK for one, makes its fuel bill available for scutiny and it's a big one at that. Offering discount fuel to attract airlines to an otherwise under used airport is a local arrangement, no different to reduced handling charges etc.